Aeroplane seat structure



Feb E, 1938. R. c. MILLER AEROPLANE SEAT STRUCTURE- Fiied July 1, 1936 3Sheets-Sheet l Inventor fiaez'f 6'. M'Zier Attorneys Feb. L 19380 R. c.MILLER AEROPLANE SEAT STRUCTURE Filed July 1, 1956 3 Sheets-Shee 2 Inven for Fbfirf 6? jh z'ller Feb. 1, 1938. R. c. MILLER I AEROPLANE SEATSTRUCTURE Filed July 1, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Eclerl 6 1110!! er AHormel/3 Patented Feb. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I ApplicationJuly 1,

3 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to aeroplanes and more particularly to aseat construction for aeroplanes.

An object of the present invention is to provide a seat construction ofsuch a character that in the event of an accident to the aeroplane theimpact of the crash would be greatly lessened as far as the occupants of.the aeroplane are concerned.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be bestunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

W Figure l is a side elevational view of an aerow plane embodying thefeatures of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a. sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 33of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional elevational view illustratingcertain details hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figure 5 is a. sectional view through a cylinder forming part of theinvention.

Figure 6 is a detail elevational view of a brake structure and wheelassembly forming part of the invention.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line llof Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a side elevational View of a wheel or roller forming part ofthe invention.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals it will be seen that inaccordance with the present invention there is provided at each side ofthe cabin part of an aeroplane, herein designated by the referencenumeral 5, a series of cylinders 6, each of which is suitably secured inposition opposite a Window '5 through the medium of a suitable retainingframe assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 8.

Each cylinder 6 is preferably formed of corrugated metal or the like andis opened at its respective opposite sides. At said sides the wall ofthe cylinder is formed so as to provide continuous channels or guiderails 9.

Arranged within each cylinder 6 is a seat indicated generally by thereference numeral I0.

The seat l0 includes a seat portion H, a back l2, arms I3, fore-legs I4,and. rear or hind legs I5, the legs l4 and I5 being braced with respectto each other as at 5.

Also extending forwardly from the legs I4 is an arcuate foot rest l1.

1936, Serial No. 88,483

Journaled between the lower ends of the legs I4 is a shaft l8 providedwith rollers or wheels l9 that ride in the track channels 9.

Extending between and suitably secured in any manner to the lower endsof the rear legs I5 is a fixed axle 20 on the ends of which are wheelsor rollers 2| mounted to rotate relative to the axle 29 and also toshift longitudinally on the axle.

Also provided at the free ends of the foot rest I1 and extendingtransversely of the foot rest is an axle 22 on the ends of which arerollers 23 which like the rollers I9 and 2| operate in the channeltracks 9.

The back |2 of the seat also hasa frame part extended beyond the paddingof the back I2 and suitably provided in the extended part of the backframe is an axle 24 equipped at its respective opposite ends with wheelsor rollers 25 that also operate in the channel guides or tracks 9.

It will thus be seen that the chair |0 is so mounted within the tube asto move relative thereto with the result that the chair willsubstantially at all times remain in an upright position regardless ofthe shock to which the aeroplane may be subjected in the event of acrash. Thus the possibility of the occupant of the chair being dislodgedwith the possibility of incurring injury is reduced to a minimum.

For securing the chair H) in a somewhat stationary position there areprovided on the outer sides of the wheels or rollers 2| disks 26 ofasbestos or other material suitable to provide a braking surface.

Also pivoted on each leg I!) of a chair H] as at 2'! is the shank of afork 28 which straddles the axle 29 and is arranged to engage theadjacent wheel or roller 2| for shifting the latter relative to the axle20 to bring the braking surface 26 into frictional engagement with theadjacent wall of the channel guide or track 9 for applying a brakingaction to the wheels 2| in a manner serving to retain the chair in amore or less fixed position within the tube 6.

The shanks of the fork 28, associated with each chair, are connectedthrough the medium of links 29 with a. lever plate 30 pivoted as at 3|on the axle 2|] as best shown in Figure 4. The plate 30 is in turnoperatively connected through the medium of a link 32 with an arm 33provided on a rod 34 suitably journaled between the aforementioned legsI5. On one end of the shaft 34 is a crank 35 which is equipped with apush and pull pin 36 adapted to engage a se- .weight of the occupant ofthe'chaiir. 'words it will be appreciated that the weight of lectedopening of a series of openings 3! provided in a segmental plate 38suitably mounted at one side of the seat ll of the chair I!) as will beclear from a study of Figures 3 and 4.

By placing the pin 36 in the proper one of the openings 31 the pressureof the forks 28 on the wheels 2| will be regulated to provide a brakingaction between the brake sections 26 on wheels 2| and the adjacent wallsof the guide channels 9 as will be sufiicient for holding the-chairsubstantially in a relatively fixedposition against too free movement,and as will be required by the In other.

the occupant of the chair Will determine approximately the amount ofbraking pressure required for holding the chair against too freemovement I within the tube and while occupied.

'Also, andas will be found desirable in practice,

there may be interposed between the tubes'6 cushioning elements 39 ofrubber, cork, or other resilient material- 7 V 7 From the above it willbe appreciated that in the event of a wreck the chair'or seat will soshift within the tube 6 as to; preclude the possibilitycof the occupantof the chairbeing forcibly ejected therefrom wlth'the result that thelikelihood of injury to the occupant seated will be greatly lessened inthe event of a crash and 7 whether the plane beupright, orion its side,or at an angle to the perpendicular; or in an inverted position. c It isthought that a clear understanding .of the construction, utility andadvantages of an invention of this character will be had without a moredetailed description. 7

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is':' a

1. In a'device of the character described, a relatively fixed verticallydisposed annular cylinder opened at each end and provided at oppositesides thereof with vertically disposed annular guide rails, a chairarranged in said cylinder and provided with rollers engaging the guiderails, certain of said rollers being shiftable laterally relacertain ofsaid rollers being shiftable laterally relative tovthe chair andprovided on one side thereof with braking surfaces for engaging theguide rails in a manner to apply a braking action y to the chair, andmeans for moving said certain rollers into frictional engagement withthe guide rails including forks pivotally mounted'on the chair andengageable with said rollers for shifting them, a lever plate pivotallymounted on the I chair, link means operatively connecting the forks withthe lever plate, a shaft rotatably mounted on the chair, link meansoperatively connecting the shaft with said lever plate, and

' means for securing the shaft in the desired position of rotativeadjustment. s

3. A seating structure for aeroplanes comprising'a cylindrical casinghavingits edges bent to form opposed internal trackways provided withclosed outer sides, respectively, a chair arranged in'said casing, meansfor supporting said chair comprising pairs of opposed rollers rotativelymounted on said chair to run in said'trackways,

the rollers of one pair being laterally separable for frictionalengagementwith'the closed sides of their respective trackways, a leveron one sideof said chair adjustable into different set positions, andmeans operative by said lever to separate said separable roller indifferent degrees in difier ent set positionsof said lever, wherebyvariable braking pressures are selectively obtained be:

tween said separable rollers and their respective trackways, andincluding a rotary spreader, and

operating connections between said spreader and separable rollers. i

ROBERT C. MILLER.

